Mail-elevator



' (No Model.)

B. A. KEELER.

, MAIL ELEVATOR. No. 470,622. Patented Mar. 8, 1892;

flllflllllllllllllllllllllg UNrrnn STATES PATENT Drticn.

EDWARD A. KEELER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MAIL-iELEVATOR.

SIPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 470,622, dated March 8, 1892.

Application filed J une 13, 1891- Serial No. 896,115. (No model.) i

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD A. KEELER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Elevators; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such-as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to mail-elevators for use upon residences and office-buildings; and it consists of a mail-box carried by vertical wires and of the various minor attachments and arrangement of parts, as hereinafterfully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows a front elevation of a portion of a building with my improved mail-elevator attached. Fig. 2 is a perspective of a small part of a building and a portion of the elevating device. Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are details showing the construction of the various parts.

An ordinary box B is used for carrying the mail-matter. This box may be of any suitable material, preferably of sheet metal. The box is provided with a lid 1) at the top, which may be inclined, as shown, for the purpose of shedding water.

Two wires 0 0 are strung between the brackets c c, which are secured, respectively, to the window-frame of the apartment to be served and to the building near the ground. These wires are parallel and are hung loosely. The box 13 is carried upon these wires by means of the lugs e, securely attached to the box and being perforated so as to receive the wires. A wire or cord D is attached to the bottom and top of the box B and passes over the pulleys d d, which are journaled in the brackets c 0. Two vertical backwardly-projecting flanges E are attached to the box B, their outer edges being in the form of a convex curve. These flanges are uniform in shape and size. Journaled between the flanges E and at their widest portion is a roller F. The lugs 6 may be 'attachedtothe outwardly-projecting portions of the flanges E, as shown, or directly to the box B. A signal-bell Gr of any desired form of construction-may be placed within the apartment and is adapted to be rung by the action of a lug b, secured to the box B upon the lever l-Lwhich is rigidly attached to a crank-shaft h, journaled in a bracket K, attached to the window-sill. The action of the lever H is communicated to the bell by means of the rods g g,'attached,'r spectively, to the mechanism of the bell and to the crank h, said rods being united by the bell-crank I. A spiral spring h is attached to the bracket K and the lever H, so as to normally draw the latter downward. A stop is provided to limit the downward movement of .the lever H. As shown, this stop consists of the sub-sill of the window, against which the crank h strikes.

The lever H is jointed at L, so as to allow.

lateral movement of its outer end. A leafspring Z is secured to the inner portion of the lever H, so as to bear against the outer-portion for the purpose of keeping the lever straight.

In use the box is lowered by the occupant of the apartment by means of the cord D. Mail-matter is deposited within the box by the carrier, and either he or the recipient of the mail-matter elevates the box. lVhen the lug 19' comes in contact with the lever H, the signal-bell G is sounded. As the box continues to ascend, the'end of the lever I-I slides off from the lug b and the box may settle back, so that the lug rests upon the lever, whereby further descent is prevented and tamperingwith the mail by persons on the ground is rendered impossible.

The purpose of hanging the wires 0 C loosely is to permit the box to pass any projections upon the front of the building, such as window-sills, and the offlce of the flanges E is to provide a gradual incline for contact with such projections, thereby preventing the abrasion of the building and the injury of the box. The roller F is introduced for the purpose of facilitating the movement of the box in passing any such obstacle. It is found necessary to locate the lugs or eyelets e at the back of the box, and the flanges E serve the further and necessary purpose of protecting these lugs from contact with the building. In

lowering the box it is first released from the box B, an elevating-cord D, parallel guidewires 0 C, and eyelets on the box for engaging the wires of a signal-bell, of a vertically- 1o swinging lever H for ringing the hell, 2. lug

on the mail-box for engaging the lever, a stop for limiting the downward movement of the lever, and a joint in the lever whereby its outer end has a lateral movement, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I alfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD A. KEELER. Witnesses:

MAY H. L. WING, bro. 0. WEBER. 

